Album Summary
Maggot Brain is the third studio album by the American funk rock band Funkadelic, released by Westbound Records in July 1971. It was produced by band leader George Clinton and recorded at United Sound Systems in Detroit during late 1970 and early 1971. It was the final album recorded by the original Funkadelic lineup; after its release, original members Tawl Ross (guitar), Billy Nelson (bass), and Tiki Fulwood (drums) left the band for various reasons.The album charted in the R&B Top 20. Today, it is perhaps best known for its 10-minute title track, performed by guitarist Eddie Hazel. Pitchfork named it the 17th best album of the 1970s. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked Maggot Brain the 136th greatest album of all time in its updated list.
Keywords from Reviews
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Reviews
Goddamn masterpiece right here. Play it loud y'all. Super Stupid is one of the best damn riffs ever laid down and the rest of the album is also epic.
2nd Funkadelic album in 3 days. This one was just silly; musically, that is.
The first three songs on this album are a generational run. Just an absolute masterclass of funk & psychedelic rock on display. George Clinton never misses!!! Genre-defying and straight up wonderful. I don't know what else to say about this album except that it totally rocks & I'm so glad this challenge led me to finally listen to it all the way through after loving the first two tracks for many years. Sure, the last song is weird as fuck, but that didn't wreck my rating at all. 4.5/5 rounded up Favorite tracks: Maggot Brain, Can You Get To That, Super Stupid
Funky stuff as you’d expect!
Liked the vibes on the first few tracks, good walking music. Not sure I’d be productive during vibing though.
A funk psychedelic classic with a great album cover.
They sure weren’t afraid to explore the space of the songs. But with something like Can You Get to That on it, the album has a lot of redeeming qualities
Интересный авангардно-экпериментальный фанк. Не раз видел абложку в рекомендациях. Надо будет еще раз вернуться.
Maggot brain - 3 Can you get to that - 4 Hit it and quit it - 4 You and your folks, me and my folks - 4 Super stupid - 4 Back in our minds - 3 Wars of armageddon - 3
weird
Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last Funkadelic album
Vraiment bon!
Finalmente um bom álbum depois de tanta porcaria. Baita álbum, referência em música soul, sempre presente em listas referentes. Estava ansioso pra que chegasse e eu gostei bastante!
Insane album. Goes absolutely crazy
Really good funk. Even compelled to save a bit to it. Not what I expected, meaning not as much vocals, more display of talents with instruments. Unrelated to score, the cover has always creeped me out
Ok
What a trip of an album. From the voice-over and guitar freakout of the opening title track, to the all-time great song "Can You Get to That," to the funk workouts of "Hit It and Quit It" and "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks," to the epic apocalyptic closer "Wars of Armageddon"....wow. It's crazy good. Some serious players on here too including Bernie Worrell and George Clinton but the whole band is fantastic. Glad to be hearing this album for the first time and I can hear its influence on later acts like Living Colour and Fishbone.
Funkadelic seriously lives up to their name on this one, a funky psychedelic masterpiece. Eddie Hazel plays the guitar like he's transcended to the astral plane. Also feels like a reclaiming of the black roots of rock and roll, at a time when pasty english guys like Clapton were the face of the genre. So weird, so funky, absolutely love this one
Probably would be more like a 3.5. Not what I would usually listen to but very well executed and I think it has a lot of soul. Had only listened to the “Standing on the verge…”album before and I had liked it. This feels slightly different while still remaining true to the band’s DNA. Really like it.
Bro. Why is there screaming and babies? I don’t understand this album at all.
Maggot Brain: un solo de guitarra eléctrica de 10 minutos, cool Can you Get To That: old song vibes, more acoustic, saved Hit It And Quit It: liked it, very funky You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks: again very funky and crazy, liked it Super Stupid: rock antiguo, I liked it Back In Our Minds: interesting start, hay elementos de soul cools, liked it too Wars of Armageddon: interesante de escoitar, pero non a escoitaria por gusto.
holy shit, more funkadelic! funkadelic was the first band i ever listened to on this album journey, so it feels like an old, distant friend coming back to greet me. the band's third album, this psychedelic and afrofuturistic collection of tunes were the final tracks recorded by many members of the original band's lineup. the most famous part of the album is the title track, which is essentially a 10-minute guitar solo from eddie hazel, who was literally told to play as if he'd just learned that his mother died. like with a lot of albums on this list, initial critic reviews weren't so nice, but nowadays a lot of people appreciate just how engaging and how intense the album is. this album is bonkers in the best way. funkadelic really takes their time with each track here... i think i mentioned that in my first ever review, i talked about how much fun they must've had working on all of this... is this album fun? maybe in a different sort of way, that other album as well as other funky albums are chill and groovy, this one feels a little ominous and dramatic. if not a dystopia, then a massive, crumbling city with big towers, the band members on a center platform as the concrete jungle around them explodes and crumbles in a very played-out fashion. it's absolutely mad music and i really loved sitting through it.
This one was hard for me to stomach, at least the first and the final track. Most of the meat of the album was alright, but not really something I typically enjoy. The final song having genuine and literal farting on it made me so mad for a short period of time that I was sincerely just giving it a zero for the sheer disrespect of it, but I gathered myself and tried to see it as an artistic statement, but I cant help but feel that I was being fucked with.
I was actually having a descent time with this album, up until the end of “Wars of Armageddon” where someone decided it would be a good idea to insert a minute of fart noises. Unfortunately, that put me off so much that, even though the rest of this album was pretty decent music, I can’t bring myself to rate it that high. 2/5 ⭐️ 285/1081
Not bad but certainly a little overhyped.
I remember I tried getting into this album a couple years ago when I was really getting into Childish Gambino, I had heard that the "Awaken, My Love!" cover was really inspired by this album and so I wanted to check it out cause I just wanted to engage with that one on as many levels as I could. And at the time I didn't really like it, but on relisten I really don't get why. The first track, which at the time I thought meandered a little, is really a spectacular mood piece and is obviously wildly impressive. The subsequent songs are all really fun and well put together, and it's just an absolute joy to listen through. The only reason I can imagine not liking this is because of Wars of Armageddon, but honestly I think that's kinda what the inside of their heads sounds like. And even though it's a little silly, I think it's a pretty interesting culmination of the sound that the album was going for. Just the pinnacle of funk. Favorites: Maggot Brain, Hit It and Quit It, You and Your Folks Me and My Folks
It was a fairly good fusion of rock and funk, especially the title track at the start of the album. It definitely had moments were it sounded weird lyrically and musically though.
Loved the psych influence here. Wasn't what I was expecting, I'm used to a more heavy and upfront funk sound from Clinton. Apparently Clinton likened Super Stupid to a Black Sabbath track. It sounded way more like Led Zeppelin and specifically John Bonham to me.
ahh HAA!!!! wow this is from 71 - sounds like they heard floyd and were like, hmmm .. this album is super cool - it was surely a breeding ground for who knows how many - you can hear loads of samples (hence the initial ahh haaa!!) throughout too yum 3.5
Like New Orleans…tons of bright colors, spicy flavors, vibrant sounds, and constant action.
Well someone was certainly having a good time in the studio now weren't they? If you are in the right head space (I was) there is nothing quite like it. Give yourself over and let you mind melt.
sexy and weird
I feel that most bands, if they started an album with one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded, would usually call it there. But Funkadelic manage to append 6 nearly perfect funk songs to it. Maggot Brain is truly a sight to behold, and probably one of the greatest albums ever. In a nutshell, Funkadelic 's sound is kind of a combination of psychedelic proto metal, and funk. And their marriage of these worlds is completely seamless and utterly their own: their albums populated with soul arrangements and demented guitar rock in equal measures. Maggot Brain is probably their magnum opus. As I mentioned, it helps that we start with one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded. Legend has it that George Clinton asked Eddie Hazel to play the guitar like he just learned his mother died: and then he did, for 10 uninterrupted minutes. The title track of Maggot Brain (the one I've been talking about) feels like you're grieving on acid. The world's most mournful guitar is reflected into itself repeatedly, and devours the mix whole. It's a feat which must be admired from a safe distance, lest the song dissolves you. It may be even more amazing that the rest of the album can live up to this song. But Funkadelic's hard edged, metal tinged funk is a force all it's own. Can You Get To That has some folks instruments, but it's purse funk in pulse. Hit It And Quit It Just Sounds cool as hell. You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks is one of the hardest funk grooves ever recorded. Super Stupid is propelled by just an absurdly good, nearly Sabbathian early metal riff. And Back In Our Minds brings another deeply psychedelic moment to the album. And all these songs feature incredible arrangements, powerful singing, and thought provoking, class conscious lyrics. Then we end with War Of Armageddon, which, true to it's name is 10 minutes of cowbell powered apocalypse funk, complete with strange skits and field samples. And all these songs are basically perfect. This one is like a 10+, this thing can barely be reckoned with.
Maaaan dem some good drugs!
Would be 5 gold if it wasn’t for the slightly drawn out instrumental parts.. but very hard to be mad at anything else. 5 stars all day
I think in a world where I do acid trips on a semi regular basis, this is a 100/10 album. Alas, I am sober and packing for a trip to Miami and so this album is great but v out there. A fun, psychedelic, trip to outer space Favorites: Can you get to that, Super Stupid
Too jammy, but nice tracks here and there.
The last track was a bit of a waste but the opener was AWESOME. Much cooler than I expected.
Was fine
Super tight and well-constructed, pristine sounding, maybe the GOAT album cover
funky and interesting, until last song with fart noises took me out
psicodélico pero con grandes melodías y mezclas de sonidos muy experimentales que quedan hermoso.
A perfect album. Prescient, groundbreaking, immaculate.
7/10 Gets a bonus mark because despite of the odd unlistenable track, Funkadelic are great and I only scored their other album a 3
weird diversion from what I usually think of as Funkadelic.
I wasn't expecting an extended jam with fart/loose bowel noises but they gave it to me here. Um....thanks? This was OK and maybe something I might have enjoyed more back in the day but there's nothing here that would make me give it another listen.
interesting rhythms
What a tremendous start with the guitar solo track Maggot Brain, totally face melting and a brave start to an album. It made my expecations high to receive more of that, however the rest of the album is as funkadelic as it promises and it falls flat IMO.
I never realized how much more psychedelic funkadelic is compared to Parliament. Glad I got a chance to spend some time with it
this album has an incredible vibe. the songs flow really well with each other, the themes are executed in a cool way, the guitar work is impeccable and the rhythm section holds it down. my single complaint is the fart noises towards the end of wars of armageddon, that took me out of the song a little lol. overall a 9.5/10.
"Maggot Brain" is the first funk album I've ever listened to (unless you count Talking Heads), and man was I missing out. This album is incredible! The layering is perfect, referring to both the instruments and the vocals. The songs are catchy and groovy. I love the way they blend psychedelic rock in there, and even a bit of hard rock. The only thing I don't like is that the title track and "Wars of Armageddon" are a little long for my liking. But I am a Pink Floyd fan, and the title track sounds a lot like an interlude they would've written, so I'd imagine it's an acquired taste. I don't like the fart sounds on "Wars of Armageddon," though. Once again I don't have much to say other than: this is a great album. ----- #0017 Heard on: 5 Oct. 2026 Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (59 / 337) Favorite track: Hit It and Quit It Least favorite track: Maggot Brain
Only Funkadelic could make an album with literal fart sound effects in it and still have me give it a 4.
Possibly one of the most, if not the most, famous funk albums of all time. While I do enjoy it, I'm not specially crazy about it. The album starts with "Maggot Brain", an epic ten minutes song that is unexpectedly slow and sad. Whereas it is very passionate and the arpeggio sounds beautiful, I don't really see the need for it to be so long, specially when there is nothing more than the electric guitar doing its solos and the melody playing behind. Fortunately, from "Can You Get To That" to "Back In Our Minds" the albums gets to the fun part with some very upbeat and high-spirited short funk songs with some touches of rock and very enthusiastic vocal performances. Then comes "Wars Of Armageddon", the ending track, and just like "Maggot Brain", I feel it is unnecessarily long, and in a worse way, as the first track at least is emotional, while this one is just a nice rhythm groove that loses steam as it progresses with silly noises on top. I'll admit that the fart sounds makes me laugh and smile every time, but I still think it is the weakest spot. In summary, it is a fun album. I do really like the middle part, as it is more straight to the point and great funk, and for the start and ending, I wish they were shorter.
It’s funky for sure, more like study music for me though as jams aren’t very riveting to me
7,8/10
What a weird party of an album this is. From the drug use-inducing Maggot Brain, through all the funky vibes throughout the rest. Not carried by any one instrument, unless you’re putting the whole album on the back of Eddie Hazel’s opening guitar solo, this one is absolutely my favorite funk album of all time.
Very funkadelic!
Decent enough - not the sort of thing I’d choose to listen to, but that’s the joy of this!
1.5
SOMETHING SOMETHING RNG
veryy funky, very fun!
Awesome guitar! I hear a TOn of influence on later bands.
Starts strong
I am ashamed to say it has taken me this long to listen to this album. But man, am I glad I finally did. This is so much more of a flavor of funk that I'm into, and the lo-fi psychedelia of the title track still kills 55 years later. A great, great album.
as far as righteousness of belonging on this list, a total 5/5. but for me and my listening enjoyment? more like a 3/5. just not really for me but i appreciate its existence very much
Classic
its certainly groovy and i think i understood the message but just not special
Idk
A crown jewel of black psychedelia. Arcane beyond understanding, as direct as a punch to the nose.
Ничего необычного, возможно в свое время был прорывным, но я слыхал фанк и покруче 6/10
Funky
I think people only like this band because the name is cool. Would be great background music to getting a row from a daft stoner at a party because I used chatgpt once. For example…. However there were a couple of screamers on the drums which saved the day
bliblablu halloooo
Daaaaaaamn this album is cool. I clearly haven't listened to enough funk. The opening (and title) track is a kickass instrumental that sets a really good mood for the album, and the rest of the tracks follow it well.
Unremarkable I suppose?
funkly not
Don't know whether to call it funny, shocking, or both that this album starts with one of the most powerful, stop-in-your-tracks arresting rock instrumentals ever made and ends with a horrific mess of noise with a whole bunch of forgettable, dated stuff in between. Now I know why I've only ever heard the title track.
Broad and grand, but not my cup of tea. I like the more basic songs on here, have been a big fan of can you get to that, since I heard it sampled a while ago. Appreciate you maggot brain for all you did and have done
I liked the rhythm and music of the album but the lyrics sort of washed over me. The longer tracks dragged. Highlight was Can You Get To That.
Sorry yall, I was the one who got mother earf pregnant for the third time. 🫄🏿
Funky, fun, and an absolute groove while mixing in experimental sounds and beats, there's a lot to love here
Just as I was thinking that this album wasn't as good as other Funkadelic albums because of its excessive use of long and abstract instrumental sequences, I got hit with the series of fart noises 7 minutes into the last track and completely changed my mind.
This album sounds exactly like the early 70s and is a very easy listen. Great beats and riffs, lyrics are predictably batshit, and there are fart noises. I would probably put on again, but honestly I'm deducting for it being too short--they couldn't jam for a couple more songs?
The short songs rip, and the long songs also rip at times. They are too long for me, and end up frustrating more than delighting. 3.5 stars, rounding down.
I liked the funk parts of it and the pysch rock stuff is ughhhhhhhhhh. I completely understand why it’s such a well regarded album however.
Love it
Interesting noises for 1971, very movie-like. Big soundscapes behind raw sounding instruments. Not my cup of tea, minimally melodic.
There are some albums that you actually DO need to listen to or else you'll die. This is one of them
That was a fun funk-rock album, an in-between genre album that kept me engaged.
soooo good, new band unlocked love the instrumentals and the guitar, need to investigate eddie hazel more
Noice.
Interesting, creative and ground breaking. Not my cup of tea for every day, but fantastic nonetheless
No funkadelic bad album! Every album is a masterpiece full of structure and sound and groove.
As much or more of a post-political psychedelic rock album than a funk one. Every single second is enjoyable - musicality, warmth, humor exuded by every member of the band. Classic.
Amazing guitar sound. Then the grooves come in and it's a whole different thing. Really good album.
underrated masterpiece
6/10
I wasn’t entirely sold on Funkadelic/Parliament from their previous albums on this list, but they were at least fun. This really wasn’t. From the dull 10 minute title track this never gets going. It just has none of that bounce and vitality of their other work, so I was left underwhelmed.
I'm not generally a fan of a long guitar solo but I will make an exception for the compelling and desolate-sounding 10-minute guitar solo on the opening track. The rest of the album consists of a pleasing mixture of, as the band's name suggests, funk with psychedelia, and class conscious lyrics. While the last track outstays its welcome, there's enough good stuff here to warrant four stars.
This one doesn’t fully click with me. The opener/title track is the one exception, an incredible ten-minute Hendrix-esque guitar solo with tons of crazy effects on it. However, the other long track, the closer ‘Wars of Armageddon’, doesn’t do much for me, and is quite irritating with all the bizarre sounds and dialogue. The five short songs in between are fairly good (they have fun grooves and some good guitar work), but none of them are really spectacular either. It’s still good enough for 3 stars, but this is my least favourite of the Parliament-Funkadelic albums on this list.